Take a story's temperature by studying its tone. Is it hopeful? Cynical? Snarky? Playful?
Reflective, Polite, Not Bantering
As befits an English butler in the twilight of his career… oh, wait. We're starting to talk like Stevens.
Ahem. Let's start over.
Stevens is a stuffy old manservant. He's also pushing retirement age. And so, unsurprisingly, he sounds like a cross between your Grandpa ("Ehhh, in my day we didn't have these crazy internets, with the Facebooks and the Snapperchats") and the whole cast of Downton Abbey. Stevens's tone is reflective, polite, and contemplative. He's deep in nostalgia mode:
"Perhaps, then, there is something to his advice that I should cease looking back so much, that I should adopt a more positive outlook and try to make the best of what remains of my day." (8.84)
Oof. That makes Grandpa talking about the evils of smartphones and the virtues of Dean Martin movies sound pretty freaking full of life.
Stevens doesn't let his emotion peep through. Even when his heart is breaking, his language is unfailingly courteous. And when this unfailingly courteous dude tries to crack a joke, he fails big time.
By the very nature of witticism, one is given very little time to assess its various possible repercussions before one is called to give voice to it, and one gravely risks uttering all manner of unsuitable things if one has not first acquired the necessary skill and experience. There is no reason to suppose that this is not an area in which I will become proficient given time and practice. (5.12)
Telling jokes, or talking in even a semi-lighthearted way (in a word, "bantering"), is beyond him. He's used to following rules, and he's never sure if his jokes will perplex or offend… or just fall super flat. But he's going to give it his best shot anyhow.
Points for effort, Stevens.